Should Chiefs fans worry about the defensive line depth once again?

The Kansas City Chiefs have many key decisions to make when finalizing their roster in the next week or so. Some spots remain unsettled amid competition and preseason results. But there are also some overall depth questions throughout parts of the team. One of those is the Chiefs' defensive line.

Of course, fans will not have to worry about the overall performance of names like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. They alw ays show up when it matters most. Plus, Jones and Karlaftis are consistently productive, as their careers have shown us so far.

But outside of that, the Chiefs are at a quirky spot along the rest of the defensive line. How productive can the remainder of the unit be as pass rushers? Would it even be surprising to see Kansas City add another outside name from some other organization after roster cuts?

New opportunities opposite of Karlaftis

Starting at defensive end, the spot and production opposite Karlaftis is very fascinating. Charles Omenihu could increase his output as a pass rusher. He is actually getting a chance at his first full campaign with Kansas City following a suspension and injury in the last couple of years. But how consistently you can rely on him for long stretches will be a sticking point.

Rookie Ashton Gillotte is also vying for reps opposite Karlaftis. Gillotte is a typical defensive end that the Chiefs have utilized under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He is not quick or bendy, though his power, toughness, and heavy hands are what Kansas City is leaning on as he offers a unique ball-of-clay type of play style.

Gillotte could easily play more than other defensive ends have in their rookie seasons with the Chiefs over the last few years. But of course, the rookie wall will be an item to counteract.

Malik Herring and Felix Anudike-Uzomah were the primary backup defensive ends the last couple of years, as some people reminded us. All in all, there was only a minuscule floor that the team could have leaned on from those two. But now, FAU is going to miss the year, being placed on injured reserve this week with a hamstring injury.

Defensive tackle partner for Jones still a work in progress

For years, the Chiefs have had the all-world defender in Jones, followed by a bunch of average names at defensive tackl e. Kansas City has not really invested many premium assets in the position to help find Jones that running mate. It is not easy to find superb defensive tackles when building the roster. Nonetheless, it would be enticing to see what the Chiefs would look like if Jones had another consistent starting-caliber name next to him each week.

The Chiefs are hoping that rookie second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott can fill that void. His flashes of quickness and pass-rush upside are tantalizing coming out of Tennessee. But at the college ranks, his lack of consistent snaps definitively put a placeholder on his overall development. Kansas City will have to push that development further a fair amount in his first pro season.

Mike Pennel has been a reliable piece as a run stuffer during the last handful of seasons. But in terms of traits, there is only so far that Kansas City can go to trust Pennel in certain situations. He could easily be the starting defensive tackle next to Jones in the early going of the season. As the year gets deeper, though, the Chiefs may have to be smarter with his usage. That leaves the top of the defensive tackle depth capped at a specific point.

Jerry Tillery, Fabien Lovett, and Marlon Tuipulotu are the other defensive tackle names fighting for a roster spot. Nothing has truly stood out in a major way from any of their preseason showings. That could lead to the Chiefs loo king to add another name at defensive tackle before Week 1 to aid Jones, Pennel, and Norman-Lott.

Reset destined to come next year?

The Chiefs have been fine with many role players aiding the top stars on the defensive line. It is part of why they have remained so strong defensively without overspending too much up front. Yet this feels like it could actually be the last year of these supporting characters. Kansas City could be destined for a reset at defensive line entering 2026 beyond the likes of Jones and Karlaftis.

Danna is signed through 2026, holding an $11.166 million cap hit that year per Spotrac. Kansas City can take a potential out in that deal after this season, though, accruing just a $2.166 million dead cap hit. Besides Danna, the Chiefs do not have any other defensive linemen locked into a roster spot for 2026 outside of Jones and Karlaftis.

The depth could still be adequate this year to get where Kansas City wants to go. In the end, the Chiefs have been walking a fine line with their backup defensive line options for far too long.